Inauguration of International Year of Chemistry in Sri Lanka

The Inauguration ceremony of International Year of Chemistry in Sri Lanka was held on 27th January 2011. The Hon. Prof. Tissa Vitharana, Sr. Minister for Scientific graced the inaugural ceremony .

The major activity of the first day of CHEMEX 2011 were Inauguration of the International Year of chemistry in Sri Lanka and the Opening Ceremony of CHEMEX 2011 Exhibition and Trade Fair by Prof. Tissa Vitharana, Senior Minister of Scientific Affairs.The Hon. Minister and the invited Guests were accompanied to the Hall in a ceremonial procession consisting of a traditional dance group. It was indeed a great event. Welcome address was delivered by Prof. M. D. P. De Costa , President of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon.

The Theme for the First day was ‘Chemical Research and Technology Development’. Mr. N. M. S. Hettigedera Chairman of the Steering Committee of IYC 2011( Sri Lanka) explained the objectives of IYC 2011 and the details activities planned in Sri Lanka. Keynote Address on ‘Chemical Research in Technology Development’ was delivered by Dr. A. M. Mubarak, Director of the Industrial Technology Institute.

The Chief Guest Prof. Tissa Vitharana in his speech highly commended the action taken by the Institute of Chemistry to celebrate the IYC 2011 and pointed out the importance of Chemistry in Industrial Development in Sri Lanka. Prof. J. N. O. Fernando, Dean College of Chemical Sciences, who graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour thanked and praised the Chairman of IYC for his positive approach and hard work in achieving the goals of IYC 2011. Prof. S. Sotheeswaran President elect, IChemC, made the concluding remarks.The major events of the first day of CHEMEX 2011 were Inauguration of the International Year of chemistry in Sri Lanka and the Opening Ceremony of CHEMEX 2011 Exhibition and Trade Fair by Prof. Tissa Vitharana, Senior Minister of Scientific Affairs. Welcome address was delivered by Prof. M. D. P. De Costa , President of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon.